The celebration included awarding of prizes for an annual arts and writing competition, a youth panel, African drumming, and a keynote from the YCL.
CBTU founder and CPUSA member, Wilkerson "exemplified working class values in every area of life,” as a stalwart fighter in historic Civil Rights, anti-apartheid, and trade union struggles.
Joining the YCL in the '30s, Fishman was active all her life in union and community struggles against fascism and racism, for workers' rights, housing, healthcare, and peace.
Amid capitalism's deep systemic crisis, the socialist moments of the past must be combined with the class and democratic struggles of the present.
Nellie Stone Johnson — radical farmer, African American union leader, civil rights activist, and YCL member — left an impressive legacy of struggle.